Car-coupling.



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- PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907. W. S. SCHROEDER. GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26. 1906.

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. PATENTED MARnlQ', 1907. W. s. SOHROED'BR.

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLL M S. SCHRO EDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

Application filed November 26,1906. Serial No. 345,205. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. Sonnon- DER, a citizen of the United States, residing. in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

My invent-ion relates to improvements in car-couplers, and more particularly to imrovements in car-couplers of the Master Car- Builders type having the customary forked draw-head, pivoted knuckle, and verticallymovable gravity-lock.

The object of my invention is to provide a car-coupler of the Master Car-Builders type of a simple, strong, efficient, and durable construction in which the vertically-movable locking-pin will have provision not only for serving as a lock to hold the knuckle closed, but also as a lock-set to set the lock in position for coupling or uncoupling, and also to serve as the device' for throwing the knuckle open, and in which the shortest possible lift of the lock will serve to throw the knuckle open.

My invention consists in the means I employ and herein shown and described for practically accomplishing this object or result, the same being hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a car-coupler embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lock in its lock-set position. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal sectional view of the draw-head. Fig. 6 is a detail 'side elevation of the lock, showing the right side thereof. Fig. 7 is a detail front elevation of the lock. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the lock on line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a detail top or plan view of a portion of the draw-head, showing the opening for a lock therein. Fig. 10 is a detail side elevation of l the lock, showing a modification in which the transversely-extended upright slotis omitted, and Fig. 11 is a rear view of the modified construction of lock shown in Fig. 10.

In the drawing, A represents the drawhead, the same having the customary guardarm a and pivot-arms or legs a and vertical opening a to receive the lock.

B is a knuckle pivotally secured to the tremity d C and having a front arm or nose I), a rear arm or tail 1), furnished with a hook-like extension b and an incline or cam-surface b on its under side for engagement and cooperation with the knuckle-throwing foot (1 of the lock D. The rear arm or tail of the knuckle is also provided with an inclined, urved, or rounded face I) on its upperside. The rear arm or tail of the knuckle is also provided with a flat face I) for engagement with the locking face or surface (1 of'tn'e lock D.

The vertically-movable gravity lock or locking-pin D is provided at its front and on its right or knuckle-engaging side with a recess or depression (i the side wall of which constitutes the locking surface or face d of the lock and engages the flat locking-face b of the knuckle-tail to hold the knuckle closed. The knuckle-throwing foot (1 of the lock is downwardly and forwardly inclined to give a flatter or better bearing against the knuckle-throwing incline on the under side of the knuckle-tail, the downward and forward and transverse incline of the knucklethrowing foot corresponding in a measure to the knuckle-throwing incline on the under face of the knuckle-tail. The knuckle-throw ing foot on thelock is also preferably furnished with an upward rounded projection or toe at its right front corner for better engagement with the knuckle-throwing incline or way on the knuckle-tail. The edge or exof the knuckle-throwing foot of the lock constitutes the lock-set device on the lock and engages the lock-set ledge a on the bottom web a of the draw-head adjacent to the front wall of the locking-pin opening therethrough. The lock D is also provided at itsfront side with an inclined or curved face d for engagement with the upper curved or inclined face of the knuckle-tail to dislodge or move the lock off the lock-set position when set for uncoupling as the knuckle swings open. The lock D is further provided with a lock-set shoulder clfl'adapted to rest upon and engage the tail of the knuckle when the knuckle is open or swinging open, and thus set or support the lock on the knuckle-tail in position for coupling when the knuckle again swings shut. The lock D is further provided with a cut-away or ankle-like portion (1 just above the knucklethrowing foot d to enable the knuckle-throwing foot to project under and engage the stop projection a on the draw-head, and

pivot-arm of the draw-head by the pivot-pin I thus stop or prevent the lock from jumping upward or creeping, and thus permit accidental or unintentional uncoupling of the cars when the train is in motion. To further secure this result, the lock or its knuckle-throwing foot is provided with a heel d raving a notch or lip 66 therein adapted to engage the stop projection a on the draw-head at the rear wall of the lockingpin opening therein. This notched heel of the lock and cooperating stop on the draw-head does not interfere with the lock being lifted by the lifting-lever F when it is desired to uncouple the cars; but it serves to prevent the toe or foot d from swinging backward from under the stop projection a and thus upward jumping or creeping of the lock.

To aiford additional security against j umping or creeping of the lock, 1 provide the front wall of the lock with a stop projection 01 and the front wall of the locking-pin opening in the draw-head with a cooperating stop projection a The lock D is further provided with a transverse guide-slot (1 through the same, through which extends a guide-pin G. The rear wall (1 of this slot may be substantially straight, although it is prefer ably slightly curved forward at its middle part. The front wall of this guide-slot has at its lower portion an upwardly and forwardly extending incline d, and at its upper portion an upwardly and rearwardly extending incline d the purpose of which is to cause the lower end of the lock and its knuckle-throwing foot to be forced sharply forward as the lock is lifted to its higher-most position by the lifting-lever, and thus enable the knuckle to be thrown completely open by a minimum upward-lifting movement of the lock. The lock is also furnished, or preferably furnished on its front side or wall, with a curved enlargement or cam-acting face or cam-face d, which by engagement with the knuckle-tai serves to guide or direct the lock into its lowermost position and the knuckle-throwing foot properly into and through the opening in the bottom web or floor of the draw-head.

In order to properly guide the lock and at the same time permit its lower end to swing forward, so that the lock-set edge or projection of the knuckle-throwing foot will properly engage the lock-set ledge on the bottom web or floor of the draw-head and so that the lower end of the lock may swing backward, as required, to enable the knucklethrowing foot to properly clear the stop projection a on the bottom web or floor of the draw-head in lifting the look, I provide the draw-head with an inclined guide-rib a for the back of the lock to fit against.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, the rear or back wall of the lock may be substantially straight and upright, the guidepin and guide-slot serving to properly guide the lock and give it the required tilting movements as dropped into position. When the lockingpin drops into its lowermost position to lock I it is raised by the lifting-pin lever and again j the knuckle closed, the

guide-pin by its engagement with the upper portion of the l guide-slot forces the stop-acting and k1 mcklethrowing foot on the lock under the stop or projection o on the drawhead, and thus keeps the pin from climbing up or creeping. i In the modification, however, illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, where the guide-pin G and j guide-slot d are omitted, I provide the back 1 wall of the lock D with an inclined face extending from its lower end to near its upper end and with an incline (Z at its upper end, these inclined guide-faces on the back I wall of the lock serving by engagement with j the rear wall of the draw-head to properly guide and direct the upward and downward l movement of the lock, this modified construction being an equivalent for the guide-slot and guide-pin. I, however, prefer to use the guide-slot and guide-pin, as the guide-pin 5 serves to prevent the lock from being withdrawn entirely from the draw-head. l n this I modifiedconstruction wl'ien the pin is lifted 5' the back wall of the lock engages the inclined l vertical guide-ribs on the draw-head and j slides or forces the locking-pin forward at its lower end, so that its lock-set ledge will propj erly engage the lock-set ledge on. the bottom web or floor of the draw-head, and a further 1 lifting of the locking-pin causes the knuckle to be thrown open by engagement of the lock-set knuckle-t]irowing foot on the lower throwing way or incline 011 the rear arm or tail of tho knuckle, the upwardly and forwardly inclined guide-rib on the draw-head serving also to force or push the lower end of the locking-pin forward, and thus to aid in throwing the knuckle open by a limited upward movement of the lock. The recess or depression (Z on the front or right and kmrckle-engaging side of the look I) has an upwardly and forwardly inclined wall or shoulder (1, which when the knuckle open or partially open rides on the tail or rear arm of the knuckle and supports the lock in position for uncoupling. This incline or shoulj der (Z also aids in guiding the lock to position as the knuckle closes and the lock drops j to its lowermost position.

I claim l 1. In a ear-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-hen d provided with an opening to receive a vertically-movable gravity-lock,

j and a lock-set ledge on the bottom wall of the ,end of the locking-pin with the knuckledraw-head, and a stop projection on the draw-head to prevent the lock from creeping or jumping upward, of a knuckle having a knuckle-th rowing incline on its rear arm, and a vertieally-movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge or toe serving as a lock-set and adapted to project under and engage said stop projection on the draw-head to prevent the lock from jumping upward or creeping, said lock having a guide slot extending transversely through the same and provided with an upwardly and forwardly inclined front wall at its lower portion, a guide-pin in the drawhead extending through said guide-slot, said locking-pin also having a heel provided with a shoulder adapted to engage a stop-shoulder on the bottom web or floor of the drawhe'ad' to aid in preventing the look from creeping and the lock having also at its front wall near its upper end a stop pro ection, and the drawhead having a cooperating stop projection, substantially as specified.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination with j a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge l and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movable l gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and j downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lock-set, said foot projecting under said stop projection on the draw-head to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock being provided with a guide-slot and a guide-pin in the draw-head extending through said guide-slot in the locking-pin, substantially as specified.

3. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lockset, said foot pro ectlng under said stop projectionon the draw-head to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock being provided with a guide-slot and a guide-pin in the draw-head extending through said guide-slot in the lockl ing-pin, said foot on the lock having a heellike projection and the draw-head having a cooperating stop, substantially as specified.

4. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge j and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lock-set, said foot projecting under said stop projection on i the draw-head to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock being provided a guide-slot and a guide-pin in the draw-head extending through said guide-slot in the locking-pin, said lock having also a stop projece tion at its front near its upper end and the draw-head having a stop-shoulder cooperating therewith to prevent creeping of the lock, 1 5 substantially as specified.

5. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lock-set, said foot projecting under said stop projection on the draw-head to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock being provided with a guide-slot and a guide-pin in the draw-head extending through said guide-slot in the locking-pin, said lock being provided with a curved enlargement at its front, substantially as specified.

6. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge, and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertical movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lock-set, said foot projecting under said stop projection on the draw-head to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock having a heel and the draw-head having a cooperating stop to aid in preventing creeping of the lock, substantially as specified.

7. In a carcoupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge, and a stop projection on its bottom Web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lock-set, said foot projecting under said stop projection on the drawhead to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock and draw-head being furnished with cooperating guide devices to guide the lock in its forward and downward movement, said lock or its knuckle-throwing foot havinga heel, and the dra -head having a cooperating stop to aid in preventing creeping of the lock, substantially as specified.

8. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge, and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movable gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot having a front edge serving as a lock-set, said foot projecting under said stop projection on the dra'whead to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, said lock being provided on its front side near its upper end with a stop projection to prevent creeping of the lock, and the draw-head having a stop-shoulder cooperating therewith, substantially as specified.

9. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge, of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline on its rear arm, and a vertically-mov- 1 drops to its lowermost position, and the able gravity-lock having a recess or depresdraw-head having a stop projection on its sion at its front on its right or knuckle-en- 1 bottom web engaging said knuckle-throwing gaging side, the side wall of said depression foot to prevent creeping of the lock, substanor recess constituting the locking-face of the tially as specified. look, the bottom wall of said depression be- 11. In a car-coupler, the combination with ing forwardly and downwardly inclined and the forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge constituting a knuckle-throwing foot, and l and a stop projection on its bottom web, of a the upper wall of said recess or depression knuckle having a knuckle-throwing incline being upwardly and forwardly inclined and f on its rear arm, and a vertically-movablc serving as a shoulder to support the lock on l gravity-lock provided with a forwardly and the knuckle-tail and guide the lock as it downwardly inclined knuckle-throwing foot drops to its lowermost position, substan- I having a front edge serving as a lock-set, tially as specified. said foot projecting under said stop projee- 10. In a car-coupler, the combination with tion on the draw-head to prevent jumping or a forked draw-head having a lock-set ledge, creeping of the lock, said lock and draw-head of a knuckle having a knuckle-throwing in being furnished with cooperating guide decline on its rear arm, and a vertically-movvices to guide the lock in its forward and able gravity-lock having a recess or depresl downward movement, said lock being prosion at its front on its right or knuckle-enl vided on its front side noarits upper end with gaging side, the side wall of said depression a stop projection to prevent creeping of the or recess constituting the locking-face of the I lock and the draw-head having a stop-shoullock, the bottom wall of said depression bei der cooperating therewith, substantially as ing forwardly and downwardly inclined and specified.

constituting a knuckle-throwing foot, and

the upper wall of said recess or depression I WILLIAM SCHROEDER being upwardly and forwardly inclined and Witnesses: serving as a shoulder to support the lock on EDMUND ADoooK,

the knuckle-tail and guide the look as it H. M. MUNDAY. 

